The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-08-14
VAN BAKER GUILTY
OF Murder in the First Degree
Expiate His Crime ON the
Gallews.
Removed to Wheeling for Safe Keeping.
InteIhreneer Of the s,h.

universal statement that he was de
clared guilty of killing his wife and
mother-in law is incorrect. The in
dietment on which he was tried was
for the killing of his wife only. The
simple verdict of guilty dooms Baker
to death ON the scaffold unless tho
decision is in some way set aside
1t was in the powor of the jury tc
pronounce Baker guilty and at the
same time fix his punishment at i'm
prisonment for life, but as the yer.
dict is silent as to the penalty, it is
death.
Mr.. Donehoo, of Bakers counsel
at once made a motion that the pris
oner be removed to Wheeling and
confined in the Ohio county Jail
This was allowed by the Court. and
Sheriff Lindsay and Deputies Camp
bell and Chapman at once placed
him in a carriage and drove to Hol.
liday's Cove. where the party took
the train for this city. Arrived
here, he was placed in a cab and
driven TO the Eoff street bastile
where he was assigned to the eel
which was occupied by the notori
Gus Poole, the last murderer but ono
hanged in Ohio county, just previ
Gus to his execution. 1t is on thu
upper corridor.
BAKERS SUNDAY.
When Baker was driven NJ
Twelfth street to the Jail he was fol
lowed by large crowd OF men anx
ious to catch a glimpse of the pris
oner. Sheriff Lindsay feared thai
the crowd intended to seize the man
and he asked the driver to whip ur
his horse. When they arrived al
the Jail the Sheriff said, "Thanl
God, we are safe at last!"
Baker was searched and his gold
watch, presented to him by the pu
pills of the Claysville Institute upor
his leaving there in 1871, was taker
by Tailor Nichols for safe keeping
Baker desired to continue to wear il
but it was thought best to lock il
up. Baker asked him to treat hin
as well as he could, which of course
Jimmie will do.
Yesterday Baker was allowed tt
walk about in the corridor with the
other prisoners. He seemed cheer
full, and convcrsed freely. To ont
prisoner he said:
"If | am hanged / will go thu
scaffold with three words, i am in
nocentp"
He and j. C. Lord, the alleged
swindler, walked up and down thu
hall for quite a while in converse
tion. Bakers sickness had all dis
appeared. He had no callers, no
body being admitted, though hun
dreds of people gathered about thu
door on Eoff street and gazed at him
through the bars.
When the usual Sunday afternoon
religious services were held, Baker
requested the visitors and prisoners
to sing,
"Jesus, lover of my Sou"
and
Nearer, my God, to thee"
which was done, Baker reading th,
hymns and joining in the singing.
He seemed to have a good appe
tite and his sleep evidently refreshed
him.
At nine o'clock Saturday morning
the jury again retired to their room
A half hour later loud knocking
was heard, and the Sheriff and depu
ties began to busy themselves pre-
pairing seats for the prisoner ant
counsel.
The prisoner was brought in look
ing better than on Friday and was
given a seat by the side of Mr.. Done
hoo. 1t could easily be detected
that he was confidently expecting
an acquittal or disagreement Of
the jury, but moment after in an
swer to question from Judge Boyd
as to whether or not the jury hao
any communication to make to the
Court, the foreman answered Eyes
sir" startled not only the prisoner
and his counsel but all in the room
as the solemn tone of voice indicated
conclusion on the part of the
twelve men. Every face was turned
on the jury who sat with downcast
eyes and bowed heads, until Clerk
of the Court Frank Stewart asked
the question:
Gentlemen of the jury, have yor
agreed upon verdict?'
Foreman Melvin-"Yes, sir"
The Court-"The prisoner viii
stand up"
Baker tottered to his feet trem
bling like and aspen, and faced thu
jury. His fingers clutched the ali
by his side nervously, and his who'll
frame shook with emotion as though
he had already seen the "handwrit
ing on the WALL
Clerk Stewart-"What say you
gentlemen, is the prisoner at the bal
guilty or not guilty as he stands
charged in the Indictment
There was moments pause an(
then came the words "Guilty o
murder in the first degree" from
Foreman Melvin's lips.
Saturdays Steubenville Gazett
has the following significant matte
about the case:
By many it is believed that tn
verdict of guilty prevented the PEG
pie from taking the punishment int
their own hands. There was a wei
authenticated rumor afoat THU
morning that unless the jury hat
agreed on verdict of guilty lynch
ing party would have been organized
and the prisoner taken out and exc
cuted, and his body left hanging fo
people to see as they went to church
Public opinion as to his guilt ant
horror for the crime committed ha
been very strong during these latte
days of the trial, and it was wis,
thing to have him removed to NOR,
secure Jail.
Last Excursion OF the Season, Via Pic